Idaho Harvest Heroes Podcast

Soil Regeneration for Resilience with Dennis Stitt of Soldier Mountain Highlands and Huns in Fairfield, Idaho

In the final episode of our series, we interview rancher Dennis Stitt, retired Army Colonel and owner of Soldier Mountain Highlands & Huns Ranch located in Fairfield, Idaho. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service descibes regenerative soil practices as those that build soil health by increasing organic matter and microbial activity through methods like cover cropping, crop rotation, conservation tillage, and managed grazing. These practices conserve moisture, prevent erosion, build soil carbon, and increase farm resilience. Listen as Dennis talks about how he uses these principles on his ranch as a production risk mitigation strategy. Resources: Soldier Mountain Highlands and Huns: https://idahopreferred.com/members/soldier-mountain-highland-huns/ [https://idahopreferred.com/members/soldier-mountain-highland-huns/] The Regenerative Agriculture Network of Idaho https://www.regenidaho.org/ [https://www.regenidaho.org/] Center for Regenerative Agriculture | Regenerating the health of our soils while building increased resiliency for farms and food production [https://cra.missouri.edu/] Resources - Soil Health | University of Idaho Extension [https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/soil-health/resources] USDA NRCS Soil Health Basics: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/soil/soil-health#:~:text=As%20world%20population%20and%20food%20production%20demands,harvesting%20better%20profits%20and%20often%20better%20yields [https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/soil/soil-health#:~:text=As%20world%20population%20and%20food%20production%20demands,harvesting%20better%20profits%20and%20often%20better%20yields].

Adapting to Physical Challenges in Agriculture with Veteran Joe Ricker of AgrAbility and At Ease Orchards

In this episode, we interview special guest retired Army Colonel and founder of At Ease Orchards, Joe Ricker shares how his farm is dedicated to supporting veterans through hands-on experiences in farming and beekeeping. Joe retired from the Army in June 2022 as an Army Colonel who specialized in Logistics and Information Management. His 30 years in the military brought him to Afghanistan, Iraq, and many other countries. He developed not only a drive to get the mission done, but a desire to help people. After two tours in the Pentagon and meeting the AgrAbility Veteran team in 2016 at a workshop he decided that agriculture was going to be his focus in retirement and helping Veterans is his passion. He is the founder of At Ease Orchard, a non-profit that is focused on getting Veterans, First Responders and their family members into Beekeeping and other farm activities. Over the past two years At Ease Orchard has provided over 80 hives, mentorship, and training to their beneficiaries. He also manages his property with 250 apple trees as well as 5 beehives. At Ease Orchard helps support two primary Veteran training farms in Anderson and Danville Indiana. Joe also founded Veterans IN Farming, a non-profit that supports Veterans and their families in Indiana to be successful in Farming, Ranching and Homesteading. Veterans in Farming has over 1300 members, and recently conducted a conference with over 50 Veterans attending. At Ease Orchard has receives over $100K per year in grant funding which includes Natural Resource Conservation Service Partnership Grant, Indiana State Specialty Crop Grant, and Farm to School Grant. At Ease Orchard was awarded the non-profit partner for 2025 for the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. Joe was recently awarded the inaugural Veteran Farmer of the Year in Nov 2024, where the nonprofits received over $10K in award money. Joe is currently the Veteran Outreach Coordinator for AgrAbility where he mentors Veterans on Veteran specific resources and provides guidance to dozens of Veterans every month on pursuing their passion of getting into Agriculture. Enjoyed this episode? Let us know at ell us what you think at https://bit.ly/hhpodcastfeedback [https://bit.ly/hhpodcastfeedback]. Resources: At Ease Orchards: https://www.ateaseorchard.org/ [https://www.ateaseorchard.org/] AgrAbility: http://www.agrability.org/ [http://www.agrability.org/] Farm Stress Management in Idaho: https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/farm-stress [https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/farm-stress]

Marketing Specialty Livestock Products with Joann Danner of Dancing Goat Farm in Bonners Ferry, Idaho

Joann Danner, owner of the Dancing Goat Farm in Bonners Ferry, Idaho Dancing Goat Farm was established approximately 15 years ago on 40 acres in Bonners Ferry with the vision of providing a space where veterans could relax and recover while learning about farming. The farm originally raised beef cattle, goats, pigs, chickens, and sheep, reflecting the dedication of its founders—both military veterans. In this episode, we have a conversation with Veteran Joann Danner, owner of Dancing Goat Farm in Bonners Ferry, Idaho as she shares her experience marketing goat milk products and how she navigated the risks associated with including these products as part of her business. Joann is also founding member of the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Idaho and has been on the board 3 years. Enjoyed this episode? Let us know at ell us what you think at https://bit.ly/hhpodcastfeedback [https://bit.ly/hhpodcastfeedback]. Resources: Dancing Goat Farm: https://idahopreferred.com/members/dancing-goat-farm/ [https://idahopreferred.com/members/dancing-goat-farm/] Cultivating Your Business E-Book: https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/cyb-online-guide [https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/cyb-online-guide] Farm-direct Marketing: Merchandising and Pricing Strategies Publication: https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/publications/publication-detail?id=pnw0203 [https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/publications/publication-detail?id=pnw0203] Value-Added Agriculture: Enhancing Farm Opportunities: https://extension.psu.edu/value-added-agriculture-enhancing-farm-opportunities [https://extension.psu.edu/value-added-agriculture-enhancing-farm-opportunities]

Complying with Cottage Food Regulations in Idaho with Cathy Cabalo of Cabalo’s Orchard and Garden, Kuna, Idaho

Under the Idaho Food Code, "cottage foods" are edible products made in a person's home or another designated location and sold directly to consumers. They include low-risk foods, which the code defines as products that do not require time and temperature controls for safety." in this episode, Veteran Cathy Cabalo, co-owner of Cabalo's Orchards and Gardens shares her experience navigating the regulatory hurdles she encountered making and selling value added food products. Enjoyed this episode? Let us know at ell us what you think at https://bit.ly/hhpodcastfeedback [https://bit.ly/hhpodcastfeedback]. Resources: Cabalo's Orchard and Garden: https://www.cabalosorchard.com/ [https://www.cabalosorchard.com/] Cultivating Your Business E-Book: https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/cyb-online-guide [https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/cyb-online-guide] University of Idaho Publication on Selling Cottage Foods: https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/Extension/publications/bul/bul1009.pdf?la=en [https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/Extension/publications/bul/bul1009.pdf?la=en] Idaho Cottage Food Rule Frequently Asked Questions: https://phd5.idaho.gov/Documents/Environmental-Health/Cottage-Food-FAQs_2-16-17.pdf [https://phd5.idaho.gov/Documents/Environmental-Health/Cottage-Food-FAQs_2-16-17.pdf] Idaho Preferred: https://idahopreferred.com/ [https://idahopreferred.com/]

Financial Risk Management at Any Scale with Aaron Zimmerman

Financing an agricultural enterprise of any size can be risky. Decisions are made every day related to the investment in land, equipment and tools, loans and credits, cash flow and balancing income and expenses. In this episode we talk to Army Veteran Aaron Zimmerman, who is the current Treasurer for Farmer Veteran Coalition of Idaho Chapter, and the Vice President of a local bank. We ask Aaron to look back on his own experiences getting started in urban farming and his years as a financial professional and offer sage advice on avoiding financial mistakes and reducing risks when planning or starting a new enterprise. Enjoyed this episode? Let us know at ell us what you think at https://bit.ly/hhpodcastfeedback [https://bit.ly/hhpodcastfeedback]. Resources: Finding, Accessing and Securing Farmland: https://agrisk.umn.edu/Library/OpenItem/15067 [https://agrisk.umn.edu/Library/OpenItem/15067] Beginning Farm Finances: https://www.cfra.org/farm-finances [https://www.cfra.org/farm-finances]